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music arts
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* tas cru *
| Original blues from this edgy eccentric singer/songwriter have earned Tas Cru the moniker, 'master of the triple entendre." That is, his best songs go a step beyond the blues tradition of the double entendre - the literal and suggestive - to where meaning is more felt than understood. Tas Cru is a rough Quebecois rendering meaning - Raw Potato. Credit for the name goes to an avid young fan who admires Tas' raw-edged vocals and peeled-bare slide guitar. Given Tas' bent on bowing to his home region's Quebecois influence the moniker was not much of a stretch, especially since much of Tas' early career was spent playing Quebec's small cities and towns along the St. Lawrence river from Montreal to Riviere du Loup. Cru is currently based out of Albany, New York but has performed at festivals and clubs throughout the Mid South including shows in Tulsa, Memphis, and the Mississippi Delta. He has shared the stage with a growing list of well known blues artists that includes Buddy Guy, Shemekia Copeland, Willie Smith, Marva Wright, Mem Shannon, Kenny Neal, Jimmy Thackeray, Danny Kalb, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Nora Jean Bruso, Albert Cummings, Bob Margolin and others. Also to his credit include frequent appearances at Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi and on Sunshine Sonny Payne's King Biscuit Radio program on station KFFA in Helena, Arkansas. Tas Cru performs as a solo act or with a backing band. He represented the Northeast Blues Society (Albany, NY) as its solo artist at the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge in 2006 and 2007. In July, 2007 Tas Cru and the Slow Happy Boys won the Society's band competition and journeyed to Memphis for the 2008 IBC. Cru is presently exploring more opportunities to perform with the Slow Happy Boys. Since 2001 he has fronted a highly acclaimed regional band, the Conrad Story Blues Band who has released two CD's that feature 21 original songs by Cru - Poutine (2004) and Obsession Road"(2007). Tas' latest CD, gravi-Tas 2008, that editor Ken Bays at Blues Revue calls a "swirling, hypnotic blues blend," and about which Blues Revue reviewer, Genevieve Williams writes, "Listening to gravi-Tas will create a strong desire to see Cru live . . ., the albumis a multi-course feast of the down-home variety: friendly, welcoming, and direct" builds on the traditional flavor of his solo acoustic 2006 Biscuit, but thickened by the young power blues trio, the Slow Happy Boys, and seasoned with the keyboard work of longtime sideman, G.C. Lamson. The new CD is being received as well as Biscuit. It is getting airplay at a number of blues radio stations internationally and a cut is featured on the April/May 2008 Blues Revue CD sampler and is reviewed in the June/July 2008 issue. Biscuit continues to gain attention. Most recently (January, 2008) "Tired of Bluesmen Cryin'" and "One More Time" were featured on Dan Akroyd's House of Blues Radio Hours. In August 2007 the song, "Black and Poor in New Orleans" was selected by XM Radio's Bluesville for a special 2nd anniversary Katrina remembrance and featured alongside New Orleans artists Irma Thomas, Mem Shannon and Tab Benoit. "Black and Poor in New Orleans" made its debut at the Northeast Blues Society's Katrina Benefit Concert in November, 2005 in Albany, NY. The show raised monies to support New Orleans musicians whose careers and families had been devastated by the hurricane tragedy. To quote Don Wilcock, the concert promoter, "With that song, Tas Cru stole the show earning him the respect and admiration of fellow performers that included New Orleans artists Marva Wright, Kenny Neal and Mem Shannon.. Biscuit has earned very favorable reviews in the US and abroad : "A keeper. Fine resonator work both slide and fingerstyle supports an insightful batch of songs." (Tom Hyslop, Blues Revue) "Tas is a master of the triple entendre, adding dark sparkle and lusty luster to songs that span the spectrum from stark tragedy to delighted hilarity." (John Berbrich, 4th Coast Entertainment) "His strong and enjoyable voice is a pleasure to listen to. The same goes with his slide guitar playing - very impressive. But he is a total package with clever lyrics and memorable songs too. (Przemek Draheim Radio Sfera - Torun, Poland). |